Convertible shoe with interchangeable vamp

ABSTRACT

A convertible shoe, having a sole defining a plurality of first attachment points and second attachment points, such as snap fasteners and pins. A heel connects to the sole, and a vamp detachably connects to the sole at the corresponding plurality of first and second attachment points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/476,477 filed Apr. 18, 2011, and which isincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a convertible shoe and, more specifically, toa shoe with an interchangeable vamp.

People wear different shoes for different activities and occasions. Forexample, women in business settings tend to wear more formal dressshoes, but prefer more casual shoes for everyday activities. However, inmany situations, it is not possible to return home to change betweendifferent pairs of shoes in between various activities. Therefore, womenmay carry spare shoes in a spare bag or store a supply of shoes at theworkplace. However, these solutions are inconvenient and costly.

Therefore, what is needed is a shoe that is interchangeable that can beconfigured for multiple situations to achieve different appearances,such as color or design.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible shoe;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the convertible shoe with the sole, theplatform, and the vamp separated;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the convertible shoe along Line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of FIG. 3 of theconnection between the vamp and the platform at a front end;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along Line 5-5 of FIG.1 of the connection between the vamp and the sole at the instep;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the convertible shoe along Line 6-6 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the shoe vamp;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the shoe vamp;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vamp with both attachment devices;and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of aconvertible shoe with an interchangeable band.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention byway of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearlyenables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describesseveral embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses ofthe disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best modeof carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and the arrangements of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosureis capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carriedout in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and shouldnot be regarded as limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 1-9, an embodiment constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, generally referred to as a convertible shoe 10,includes an elongate sole 14, a detachable and interchangeable pluralityof heels 16 attached to the rear portion 18 of the sole 14, and aplurality of vamps 20 detachably and interchangeably connected to thesole 14. As shown, the style of the convertible shoe 10 is generallyreferred to as a “mule”, which has no fitting around the heel, sometimesreferred to as “backless”. However, the convertible shoe 10 can alsocomprise other styles of shoes, including, but not limited to, highheels, slingbacks, slide, and the like.

The sole 14 includes an upper insole 22 having a heel portion 24, aninstep portion 26, and an arcuate front portion 28. The sole 14 alsoincludes a lower outsole 30 generally corresponding to the shape andsize of the insole 22, and attached to the upper insole 22. A platform32 is attached to the underside of the upper insole 22. The insole 22and platform 32 are preferably made from leather, but can be made fromany suitable material, including, but not limited to, natural materials,synthetic materials, or a combination thereof.

The heel 16 is a generally semi-circular block that is detachablyconnected, such as with a fastener 34, to the lower surface of the healportion 24 of the sole 14. In FIGS. 1-2, the heel 16 is preferably aheight of between about 1.5″-5″, but any suitable height can be used.The fastener 34 is preferably a threaded bolt that inserts through ahole 36 in the sole 14 to secure within an insert in the heel 16 (FIG.6). A tool, such as a socket wrench can be used to secure and unsecurethe fastener 34. The head of the fastener 34 should be flush or recessedwith the surface of the insole 22. If desired, a cover can be attachedto the head of the fastener 34 to form a seamless surface with theinsole 22 to prevent any irritation or discomfort to the users foot. Theuser can replace the heel 16 with a replacement heel of a differentstyle or height by unsecuring the fastener from the heel 16, removingthe heel 16, and securing the replacement heel with the fastener 34.Although the fastener 34 is shown as a hexagonal threaded bolt, anysuitable fastener can be used, including, but not limited to, a screw, ahook and loop device, magnetic device, spring pin, toggle fastener,clip, retaining ring, and the like. If desired, the heel 16 can also bepermanently attached to the sole 14. The heel 16 is preferably made fromleather, but can be made from any suitable material, including, but notlimited to, natural materials, synthetic materials, or a combinationthereof.

A shown in FIGS. 7-9, the vamp 20 is a generally U-shaped body 36 andgenerally corresponds to the size and shape of the front portion 16 ofthe sole 14. A portion of the body 36 folds over the inner surface 38 ofthe vamp 20 to define a trim 40 of a predetermined width along theperimeter. The size and shape of the trim 40 should accommodateattachment points 42 and 44 for detachable connection to the sole 14.The vamp 20 is preferably made from leather, but can be made from anysuitable material, including, but not limited to, natural materials,synthetic materials, or a combination thereof.

A first set of attachment points 42 are secured to the trim 40 along afront portion 46 of the vamp. Preferably, the first set of attachmentpoints 42 are pins attached to a singular base, where the pins extendinwardly through corresponding holes 48 in the trim for engagement withholes 50 along the perimeter of the platform 32 of the sole 14.Preferably, the pins are secured within the holes 50 with a frictionfit, however, other methods can be used. The base prevents the pins 42from passing completely through the hole 48. Although FIG. 9 shows sevenpins spaced equally along the trim 40, any number and arrangement ofpins can be used. In addition, other types of fasteners can be used. Asecond set of attachment points 52 are secured to the trim 40 along sideportions 54, such as flaps, of the vamp 20. Preferably, the second setof attachment points are snap fasteners 52 that correspond with snapfasteners 56 on the instep portion of the outsole 30. Preferably thesnap fasteners 52 and 56 are corresponding male and female snapfasteners. While three sets of snap fasteners are shown, any suitablenumber of snap fasteners can be used. The fasteners 52 can attach to thevamp 30 and sole 14 using any suitable method, such as stitching,adhesive, ultrasonic welding, and the like.

In operation, the vamp 20 is removed from the sole 14 by disconnectingthe snap fasteners 52 on the vamp from the corresponding snap fasteners56 on the sole 14. Next, the pins 42 are removed from the holes 50 inthe platform 32 of the sole 14. A replacement vamp is selected by theuser and secured to the sole 14 by inserting the pins into respectiveholes 50, and attaching snap fasteners 44 to the corresponding snapfasteners 46. This process can be repeated to replace the vamp 30 withany other suitable vamp 30.

Therefore, the present invention provides a convertible shoe 10 capableof transformation between multiple styles by removing and replacing avamp 30. In this way, a user can substitute different vamps to achievedifferent appearances, such as color or design, with a single shoe.

With respect to the shoes shown with which the invention may be used,the styles are different but the procedure is exactly as describedabove. For example, a sling back shoe may require an additionalpermanent vamp part. The adaptability of the invention to a full vamp orheel vamp may similarly require additional parts but the attachment ofthe front part of the vamp and the attachment of the instep part wouldstill require a front attachment and an instep attachment. Also, it maybe possible to use a different attachment devices, for example, Velcro®or other hook and loop fastening may be used for the attachment means.Also, a plurality of detachable vamps can be used.

In another alternative embodiment, the vamp 20 can be permanentlyattached to the sole 14, while other interchangeable parts aredetachably connected to the convertible shoe 10. For example,interchangeable bands 70, such as shown in FIG. 10, or interchangeableplatforms 80 detachably connected to the insole 22.

Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained inthe above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A convertible shoe, comprising: a sole defining a plurality of firstattachment points; a heel connected to the sole; and a vamp detachablyconnected to the sole at the corresponding plurality of first attachmentpoints.
 2. The convertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising: a firstsnap fastener member attached to the vamp; and a second snap fastenermember attached to the sole configured for engagement with the firstsnap member and detachable connection of the vamp to the sole at one ofthe attachment points.
 3. The convertible shoe of claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of fasteners attached to a trim portion of thevamp; and wherein the sole defines a second plurality of attachmentpoints sized and shaped for detachable connection with the plurality offasteners.
 4. The convertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of pins extending inwardly from a trim portion of the vamp;and wherein the sole defines a plurality of holes sized and shaped toreceive the corresponding plurality of pins.
 5. The convertible shoe ofclaim 1, wherein the heel is detachably connected to the sole.
 6. Theconvertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising, a band detachablyconnected to the sole.
 7. A convertible shoe system, comprising: a solehaving a plurality of first attachment points; a plurality of heelsdetachably connected to the sole; and a plurality of vamps, each vampdetachably connected to the sole at the corresponding plurality of firstattachments points.
 8. The convertible shoe system of claim 7, furthercomprising: a first snap fastener member attached to the vamp; and asecond snap fastener member attached to the sole configured forengagement with the first snap member and detachable connection of eachvamp of to the sole at one of the first attachment points.
 9. Theconvertible shoe system of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality offasteners attached to a trim portion of each vamp; and wherein the soledefines a second plurality of attachment points sized and shaped fordetachable connection with the plurality of fasteners.
 10. Theconvertible shoe system of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality ofpins extending inwardly from a trim portion of each vamp; and whereinthe sole defines a plurality of holes sized and shaped to receive thecorresponding plurality of pins.
 11. The convertible shoe system ofclaim 7, further comprising, a band detachably connected to the sole.12. A method of converting a shoe, comprising the steps of: providing asole defining a plurality of first attachment points; providing a heelconnected to the sole; providing a first vamp detachably connected tothe sole at the corresponding plurality of first attachment points;providing a second vamp detachably connected to the sole at thecorresponding plurality of first attachment points; detaching the firstvamp from the sole; and attaching the second vamp to the sole at thecorresponding first attachment points.
 13. The method of converting ashoe of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing a firstsnap fastener member attached to the vamp; and providing a second snapfastener member attached to the sole configured for engagement with thefirst snap member and detachable connection of the vamp of to the soleat one of the attachment points.
 14. The method of converting a shoe ofclaim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality offasteners attached to a trim portion of the vamp; and wherein the soledefines a second plurality of attachment points sized and shaped fordetachable connection with the plurality of fasteners.
 15. The method ofconverting a shoe of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of pins extending inwardly from a trim portion ofthe vamp; and wherein the platform defines a plurality of holes sizedand shaped to receive the corresponding plurality of pins.
 16. Themethod of converting a shoe of claim 12, wherein the heel is detachablyconnected to the sole.